Posting Rules

#1

Posting Rules

1. Imagine for a moment that you're in actual conversation with someone. They tell you something and it takes about 30 seconds or maybe a minute. When they finish you repeat everything they say verbatim and then give you answer. Right there that person would look at you and think to themselves, "What the heck is wrong with this person?" Of course, you normally wouldn't do that and it's the same way in a forum. If your post follows theirs then just go directly into your reply. They'll understand you're replying to what they commented on and the readers will too. Even if your reply to them is a few posts after the postings of others, then simply put at the top: '@ name of poster' or their name as in a regular letter at the top. Quotes are best used if there is something you specifically wish to address. Quoting an entire post is not specific, it's just goofy. So please, save yourself the embarrassment of being perceived as someone suffering from 'Quoteitis'.

2. If you've used the web for awhile then you know that the span of attention is proportionate to what interests you. If you're interested, really interested, in reading one of the longest novels on record, say, "Artamène ou le Grand Cyrus by Augustin Corbé (1649-53) at over 1.9 million words, then you'll read it. If not, then you couldn't care less about what Monsieur Corbé had to say.

3. You ever read a forum topic that goes on for page after page of comments? Now and then there are some topics that maintain their relevance but often it's the case that for a 100 comments on a topic, 25 would have easily "wrapped it up." Poking a dead topic is lexicologically unseemly. Yes, I am aware that some might take issue with this particular rule. There are variables to consider but if one is mindful at least to a relative degree then readers will be grateful. What if the topic is: 'The Lost Scrolls of the Banana God'. Well, at that point rules are just a sidecar. Everyone is on their own.

4. Grammar and spelling: Personally, I think they're essential but many times I have gently expressed this elsewhere only to be regarded as a tyrant of some sort. So, do what thou wilt, the responsibility - or not - is yours. The decision, the readers.

5. Images / Videos: 2 images per post at 800x600px. You can always text-link to a larger image elsewhere such as your own server or repository. Do not 'hot-link'.

Only 1 embedded video per topic. Any more then just use links to them. On many forums I've seen where commenters lazily resort to videos as their 'replies'. This is a forum, not a YouTube annex. Note: Updates to any section of the forum are noted in the Admin Forum.

Daniel V.